Pilgrimage to historic Huguenot Cemetery

Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church reported to Historic City News that they will continue their annual tradition of making an All Saints’ Day (November 4th) pilgrimage to pay respects to those buried in the Huguenot Cemetery; the oldest Protestant cemetery in Florida.

Since hurricanes Matthew and Irma, “GOP Bob” Smith has overseen cleanup at the historic Huguenot Cemetery, which the church owns and maintains. The cemetery is located between the Visitor Information Center and the Old City Gates.

Inside the cemetery, littered with damaged trees and headstones, Smith was recently photographed near the tombstone of Rev. Wilbert F. Nields; only 2-inches from a fallen magnolia tree. During Hurricane Irma, a tornado destroyed numerous trees including a century-old Magnolia. At the cemetery, volunteers will be available to answer questions about the significance of the burial ground and the restoration process.

For years, Memorial Presbyterian Church has visited the cemetery on the first Sunday in November, “All Saints Day”. This year, the church will transport people from the sanctuary to the cemetery aboard a Red Train contributed by Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. The train will leave shortly after noon, following the 11:00 a.m. service.

Visitors are welcome to the service and to make the pilgrimage. Those who do not wish to ride the train can meet church members by the east gate across the street from the Castillo de San Marcos.